1.9TD head replacement

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 24 Sep 2007, 08:33

Well, one of the replacement cam caps broke on my 1.9TD and has caused scoring on the (now snapped) cam shaft which has also scored the head.

So, time to do the job fully and replace the head.

I need to find the engine code but can't see the plate with it on the engine, can anyone give me directions to where abouts it should be?

Then I can get on with sourcing a suitable head, and a gasket for it.
I'll also need to replace inlet/exhaust manifold gaskets right?

Does anyone who's done this before have any hints and tips?

Post by **Peter.N.** » 24 Sep 2007, 11:51

Your best bet would be a secondhand head from similar model. All the castings are basically the same but the camshafts vary e.g. non hydrophumatic cars have a camshaft driven vacuum pump. If it looks the same as yours, the chances are that it is. New ones are very expensive. You should be able to get a head gasket set from GSF.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 24 Sep 2007, 12:17

That's what we're thinking (CitroJim, TehAgent and myself).
There's a great scrappy up in Northampton about 30 mins from me near TehAgent and they always have PSA engined cars around.
Jim and I were there on Saturday picking up a new camshaft and caps from a 406 along with it's fuel pump and two injectors for Jim, hopeing to just be able to swap the cam out again (belt snapped nearly a year ago doing 40mph on the M25, swapped cam and it's been fine up until now) but the 406 cam is too tight, possibly due to the scoring caused by the old cam from the broken cap.

Wish we'd nabbed the head now!

When we take the head off a doner car, is it likely to leave the gasket in one piece?
I ask because the guy who runs the scrappy isn't likely to know why the cars have been scrapped, and I'm guessing that if it's due to head gasket going that would be obvious by a broken gasket when the head is removed.

fred1 · Post by **fred1** » 24 Sep 2007, 12:54

Hi,

Is it the head thats damaged or just the cam shaft carrier which is much easier to replace?

Regards

John

Post by **RichardW** » 24 Sep 2007, 13:03

Engine plate is mounted on the front of the engine above the starter motor somewhere - difficult to see!

For the head job you will need gasket, bolts, inlet / exhaust gasket, rocker cover gasket. Unknown head probably worth doing the cam seals as well - and you will probably need to re-set the valve clearances. Depending on the set up on the Xantia you may or may not need a vac pump - check any donor head can accomodate either arrangement as required. Get the new head skimmed and pressure tested before fitting - it will not necessarily be obvious if the donor engine has a head problem.

Once (BX TD) was enough for me....

Post by **Peter.N.** » 24 Sep 2007, 13:04

The head gaskets often dont show signs of failure unless completely blown, which is rare. You may see a dark area where gasses have been leaking across the surface but very often you will see nothing at all. Providing you have the head machined prior fitting you shouldn't have a problem even if the gasket had failed, unless of course the head is cracked.

John, (or Fred?) - I think this is a 1.9 head which doesn't have a carrier

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 24 Sep 2007, 13:20

cam caps are matted to the head they have come from, at the machine shop the caps are fitted then line boured, you will be very luky to find a set wich match up exactly with the other halfs on you head,
regards malcolm

Village · Post by **Village** » 24 Sep 2007, 13:22

if you need a new head try this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=003

its beeing sold by a chap from the forum, Terrabytecomputing (or something similar), its worth a stab......

Post by **CitroJim** » 24 Sep 2007, 13:28

Andy,

I'm temped to go back and rescue the head from the 406. The vacuum pump drive is the same. We already have its cam, followers and caps. We did, after all, put the cam cover back on to keep the damp out

I've PM'd you...

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 24 Sep 2007, 14:30

406 (if it's still there) is worth a try, it's close to the gate and plenty of access.
I'll swap my old head and injectors for those two injectors we nabbed off the 406's head

KP · Post by KP » 24 Sep 2007, 14:35

Dont forget to get a thicker gasket than the one you have taken off as well

As above getting it checked out and then as light a skim as possible if needed is best

aslo gets it nice and clean as well

and you can also use this chance to maybe was the block up a bit for any future work and clear any gunk out of it and play with the turbo boost by using a remotely placed bleed valve or the like somewhere in the engine bay and get the timing setup just right for SVO as well

Post by **CitroJim** » 24 Sep 2007, 14:38

A perfect chance to do away with the EGR valve too

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 24 Sep 2007, 14:41

citrojim wrote:A perfect chance to do away with the EGR valve too

Now there's a blinding idea!

Post by **Peter.N.** » 24 Sep 2007, 15:21

Looks like that bloke got his £275.00 for the head.

Post by **CitroJim** » 24 Sep 2007, 16:29

Sorry, double post. My internet is a bit squiffy this evening...